My oldest child is completing his first year at MMS, and I couldn't have dreamt up a better experience for the equivalent of his pre-K year. He has always had a tough time with transitions until he made the transition to MMS! The school thoughtfully welcomed him in such a way that he walked in on his first day with no hesitation, making me feel at ease sending him to school everyday. The mixed age Montessori classroom environment nurtures his curiosity, giving him the opportunity to learn from his peers and practice leadership skills. The school's administration and guides are incredibly supportive of my child, meeting him where he is while ushering him to the next level. When my son's guide checked in with me after his first two days of school, the words she used to describe him were spot on. Beyond the school's administration and guides, the parent community has been an excellent resource to me and my growing family. My family moved to the Bay from the East Coast a few years ago, and I greatly appreciate that many parents are from other states and various non-US countries with diverse cultural backgrounds and experiences that their children can share with my children. I am looking forward to my second child starting in the fall! read more

We could not be more happy with our Marin Montessori Middle School experience. We transferred our daughter in mid year and have been thrilled to see her engagement and interest in learning return. The staff are incredibly lovely and caring professionals who have the deepest respect for each student. We were met with openness and warmth and the turnaround for her academics was pronounced. She looks forward to going to school and loves getting to have choice in her own learning. Marin Montessori has truly created a culture of kindness and it has made all the difference for our family! read more

Both of our children have been at Marin Montessori since they were two and we couldn't be happier with the experience. The school has provided a nurturing, intellectually rich environment where they are truly thriving, not just academically, but socially and emotionally as well. The level of independence, curiosity, and confidence they've developed is remarkable and we credit so much of that to the thoughtful, experienced teachers and the intentional Montessori approach. The sense of community here is strong and we've felt deeply supported as parents throughout every stage of their development. Marin Montessori is a very special place. It's hard to imagine a better foundation for our kids. read more

We have one daughter and we put a lot of thought into choosing a school for her. Marin Montessori School has been the best choice we have made for her! She has attended since first grade, and when it came to deciding on middle school, we wholeheartedly decided on the Junior High program at MMS. The growth that we have seen in our daughter at her time at the Junior High (the last year and a half), in terms of confidence and leadership ability has been nothing short of amazing! The faculty and administration are extremely experienced and present for our child. She has not only been challenged, but also supported by them. She has been able to delve deeper into her interests and try new and interesting topics that she might not have otherwise chosen. This year, as part of her Community Life Guild, she has had the opportunity to take on a leadership role, working with the Director of Admissions as a school ambassador to coordinate and arrange all the shadow visits for potential new students coming to the school. This has been an exciting highlight for her this year! The campus itself, located at historic St. Vincent's, is absolutely beautiful and serene. The kids have the opportunity to work on the MMS farm, planting and growing fruit and vegetables (which they harvest and cook), and also tending to animals--chickens, goats, pigs, and this year they have a few pregnant cows who will be giving birth soon! Such a wonderful opportunity to have at a school! The facilities have also been newly renovated including a renovated lounge and a brand-new commercial kitchen for the kids to cook in (they make community lunch every Wednesday). Our daughter will be graduating in the Summer of 2024 and we can honestly say that the Junior High Program at MMS has prepared her for the next chapter and whatever High School she chooses to attend. We can confidently say that she is ready for high school not only from an academic perspective, but also from a personal perspective because she has the confidence to advocate for herself and ask for help when it is needed! The middle school years can be a trying time, but our daughter has thrived at the MMS Junior High. She gets up every morning excited to go to school and eager to learn. What more can we ask for as parents? We highly recommend the Junior High program for anyone looking for a middle school that will offer your child a nurturing, challenging and supportive community! read more

I did receive a follow up phone call from Sam, the Head of School a couple of weeks ago and was impressed that he did see my comments - on this forum and in prior e-mails to him and had taken them to heart. Apparently the school has updated some furniture and their kitchen, their staff underwent some summer training, and they have brough back Model United Nations for some students. Sounds like he and the junior high director have some other changes planned. So all in all, sounds promising for future students and I appreciate him making the effort to reach out to me. Our experience was not great, but there are others who had a good experience. The most important thing is to listen to your child and pay attention to what is going on with them. read more

Our son just graduated from the Junior High at Marin Montessori School (started in Elementary), and our daughter is about to start the Junior High (having started MMA at age 4). To say that they have thrived at MMS would be an understatement. In the supportive environment of the faculty, our children have flourished beyond what we could have imagined. MMS has enabled them to grow as independent learners and critical thinkers -- they know how they learn, they know how to collaborate, they know how to manage their time/projects, and they understand how to advocate for themselves. MMS has provided numerous opportunities for them to take on leadership roles within the student community and to grow into thoughtful human beings. Whether starting new student clubs or helping to facilitate learning experiences for their peers (in the arts, math, chess, etc.), the opportunity for self-initiative and all of the benefits that come with those opportunities abound. I cannot say enough good things about the skills they are developing -- they will carry with them for life -- and the community that is supporting them in this critical phase of their development. Enrolling our children at Marin Montessori School was absolutely the best decision we ever made. read more

MMJH is the best kept secret in Marin. Our daughter is dyslexic and struggled in public school even with support and an IEP. We decided to transfer to a private school in 6th grade expecting her to thrive in a smaller school environment. Instead she was overwhelmed by the intense academics and competitive nature of the students. We were thinking of sending her to a 1:1 school just to get her confidence back but decided to tour MMJH after hearing that the campus had a farm (my daughter is an animal lover). What we discovered on the tour was what we had been looking for all along; a nurturing academic environment that truly sees each student for who they are and fosters their strengths. My daughter was drawn to MMJH's hands on learning program that allows students to pick their classes. She has beekeeping for science and cooking for PE. The teachers are brilliant at meeting kids where they are at and supporting a curriculum that isn't one size fits all. In a few short months she has gone from being a reluctant learner who hated school, to an engaged student who feels a part of her community. As a parent, the MMJH community has been very welcoming and inclusive. I felt at home from day one. I've also been so impressed by the Grounded and Soaring podcast/website the school produces. It's a valuable resource for insightful interviews and parenting strategies. We are thrilled we found this amazing school and community and only wish we had discovered the beauty of Montessori learning earlier. read more

The MMS Junior High experience has been life-changing for our family and especially transformative for our son, who started MMS in 7th grade after spending 6th grade in a large public middle school. We watched our son go from living with routine Sunday night stomachaches, frequent bullying, out of control campus behavior and a lot of generic busy work to finding himself in a safe and caring community with other engaged learners who inspire and challenge him. Now, he can't wait to go to school--we all can relax Sunday night! We have to pinch ourselves that this is the same young man, now glowing with self-confidence, new friendships and excitement about his future. He is comfortable being himself in a community he trusts and that is in no small part due to MMS. There are a lot of great schools in Marin and academics are probably the easiest thing to find or fix. It's all the other stuff that can get in the way of learning. For us, MMS was the best fit because it is a smaller environment where our son can feel connected without sacrificing an expansive education. We aren't experts yet about the Montessori philosophy, but I've come to think of it like the wild geese of Mary Oliver's famous poem--it aims to show students "how the world offers itself to (y)our imagination" -- and that's been incredible to witness in practice for our son. In a nutshell, this school is special because... ...the teachers and staff spend time getting to know each student and build an authentic relationship with them; I am always impressed by how well they know our son and the insights they offer specific to his growth. ...the values and culture are real; MMS staff and parents are inclusive and committed to understanding the issues facing teens today and keeping MMS a safe place to navigate them. ...the curriculum is student-centered, richly varied, hands-on and FUN! ...the beautiful campus and working farm connect students with nature and the joy and responsibility of caring for living things, of working the land and seeing the fruits of their labor--not to mention the empowerment that comes from utilizing the world as your classroom. ...the students love to learn and aren't afraid to show it. Middle school doesn't have to be miserable. We're almost through 8th grade and it just keeps getting better. Our younger son can't wait to join in a few years and we're so relieved MMS will be there for him when the time comes. read more

Attending the Junior High at Marin Montessori School has been one of the best choices we have made with our eldest child. We truly could not recommend the school enough. The faculty and administration are experienced and engaged. Our child has felt academically challenged and personally supported. She has been encouraged to dive deeper into her interests, integrate her hobbies into her studies, and explore subjects and activities around which she has been hesitant. This year, she is participating in Montessori Model UN, and it is quickly becoming a highlight of her year. The facilities have recently been renovated, and the environment is even more reflective of the warmth and openness of the school. The community at MMS - the faculty, administration, students, and parents - has been an incredible resource as we all move through our years at the school. Whether it be questions about the Montessori pedagogy, childhood and adolescent development, navigating the tricky technology landscape, or just appreciating the challenges that come with these ages, we have been grateful to have such support as we each take part in raising these young people to be active participants in the world we want to see. As our eldest looks to graduate this spring, we know she will navigate through life with great curiosity, drive, and compassion that is in large part due to her time at MMS. Our youngest, a person with a very different personality and interests than our eldest, cannot wait to join the Junior High next year, and we are just as excited for the growth we will see in him. read more

This is a review of MMS Junior High specifically, though there is commentary about the lower campus as well. Our son (one of two) has been at MMS since pre-K and will soon graduate from the Junior High program. We credit his curiosity, compassion, and academic drive in large part to the school writ large, and all of the wonderful teachers he has had through the years, especially through the pandemic (where the school was a bright shining light in our world and that of the other folks fortunate enough to be there at the time).  He has taken huge leaps in the last year and half at the junior high program, which is incredibly unique in the world, drawing through-lines between history, science, math, and contemporary topics in the world around us (affordable housing, green energy, etc.). The ability to work "on the land" and integrate that magnificent program into academic studies has given our son opportunities to lead, an appreciation for the environment, and real lessons in teamwork when things get difficult.   While the school had a tough year in his 7th grade year, with some necessary disciplinary actions taken, having gone through that, the school community is much closer knit this year, with none of those issues / drama. I've always been impressed with the math program at the JH, but even more-so this year given the team-teaching that is going on and the excitement and passion that teachers are bringing. It has ignited a spark in our son, for which we are so grateful. The Junior High has also brought back the Montessori Model UN program (back on the lower campus as well). It has just kicked off, but is such a blessing. Kids from 5th through 9th grade are participating and get to go to New York in the spring to be with over a thousand other Montessori students from around the world.  In the first weeks of the program, we are already so impressed with how the school is helping the kids discuss insanely difficult, nuanced, and complex topics in the world, and to do so not only diving deep on facts and content, but diving deep on how to view every topic through a compassionate lens, to listen, and to check assumptions at the door. Finally, just a word about the technology landscape at the school - while the kids do use computers and while several have phones, the school has done an incredible job educating our kids as to the pitfalls and addictive behavior that comes along with the use of these technologies. The administration does so without any finger wagging, but are really "in it" with parents as many are parents themselves. They get how hard the environment is now and are equipping us, and more importantly, our kids, with the information they need to make good decisions. Everyone from the Head of School to the Head of the Junior High program, to all of the individual teachers have a deep desire to help here as they know how important it is to childhood and adolescent development. We are, with zeal, sending our youngest son up to the Junior High program next year, while our eldest is off to high school. Wherever he decides to go, I know he'll do well academically and socially, and has been leading the process himself (that kind of self-advocacy and love of learning is what we always hoped for). No school experience is perfect, but thing I love about MMS is that they use the imperfections as teaching moments for the kids, and frankly for the organization itself. When something unexpected arises, the culture of the organization deals with it as a team, and always looks to make improvements for the years to come, in true "practice what you preach" style. read more

We started at MMS 2 years ago and have been enchanted with the school ever since. It's truly one of the best decisions we ever made to join the MMS community. I'll focus this review on the leadership, teachers and community.  First, the leadership is excellent and truly walks the walk when it comes to teaching and caring for the kids. Their response to the pandemic has been incredible and they have put so much thought, care and order into keeping the kids safe and engaged. I feel lucky to be able to drop my child off at this amazing campus everyday knowing that he'll have a blast and come home enriched and happy (and safe). I also so appreciate that, even though they're beyond busy, the leadership and teachers at MMS are highly responsive to parent needs, questions, phone calls, etc. The teachers are also unparalleled. My son started in the Toddler class and is now in Primary and all of his teachers have provided invaluable insights and have also adored my son and learned his quirks as though he was their own kid. Such a caring, kind and gracious group of educators. My son is always so happy to go to school and see his teachers and friends!  The community is made up of many different types of families but nearly all the parents I've met are aligned with my values when it comes to raising our kids. I've also never felt judged by the other parents and have become close friends with several who I've met through the school. Prior to COVID, there was a weekend morning event at the upper school farm and we were delighted to see so many Toddler and Primary parents up early and teaching their kids new skills at the farm. It's these types of unique experiences that differentiate MMS from other schools.  MMS is a truly magical place with amazing teachers and families - I can't speak highly enough about our experience! read more

Our children started in the toddler program and are now well into their primary years (3 and 5 years old). Their experience has been nothing short of exceptional from day 1. The teachers (aka guides) are top notch, lead by example and set a culture of collaboration, community and curiousity in the classroom. Our children have been consistently supported emotionally, socially and educationally in their early childhood years. We can't say enough good things about the school and would recommend it to any family without hesitation. read more

Having been a parent at MMS for the past 7 years, I can't say enough complimentary things! MMS is a wonderful school that offers children an education that supports independence, respect for others, and an absolute love for learning. The teachers and staff are thoughtful and caring, and go above and beyond for the children. Our children started MMS as toddlers and are currently in lower elementary. They love going to school and working with the materials in the classroom, as well as making trips to the library to delve further into topics they're interested in. I'm most impressed by their leadership roles in the classroom and how supportive they are of their peers. Throughout Covid, the staff at MMS have been active with online and in-class learning. They are truly dedicated to their work and have spent numerous hours preparing a website for learning as well as helping parents to support their child's learning needs. Thank you to the MMS community for all that you do for our kids! read more

I cannot speak highly enough about Marin Montessori and it's beautiful and welcoming community. We have been at MMS for four years and I couldn't be happier with the decision to not only educate my child with Montessori values but to become a part of such a purposeful and supportive community. Last year, we had a tragic loss in our family and the MMS community reached out in so many ways that truly helped me feel incredibly supported. From organizing meal delivery for my family to walks and coffees, families throughout the school, including ones I have never met, stepped up to support us during this time. Saying that this community helped hold me up is an understatement and I could not be more grateful for the generosity of spirit that permeates through the families and administration at Marin Montessori. MMS is our second home and one that I could not be more proud to be a part of. It's in these primary/elementary school years that many of us find other families and individuals who become lifelong friends - and I know firsthand the community of support, friendship, and compassion that MMS cultivates. read more

We have a son in the Junior High at Marin Montessori School. To say that he is thriving would be an understatement. In the supportive academic environment of the faculty, our son has flourished beyond what we could have imagined. The nurturing culture of MMS has enabled our son to grow as an independent and critical learner, and provided numerous opportunities for him to take on key leadership roles within the student community. He has been able to start new student clubs and facilitate learning experiences for his peers - in math and chess. Perhaps what surprised us the most was when he decided to try out for the school play and ended up in a lead role. For a young student who has never been shy, but also never wanted to be the center of attention, he knew that he could take on a new risk because the culture of the school is so committed to fostering his growth. read more

My son is a current 7th grader at Marin Montessori's Junior High program, and we are thrilled he is part of a nurturing community of curious, caring students, and most importantly, compassionate and enthusiastic teachers. We have no doubt he will be academically and emotionally prepared for the rigors of high school. Academic instruction is incredibly thoughtful, weaving together interdisciplinary critical thinking skills. He is taught that "yes, humanities and math and computer science are inter-related" and he is given the tools and information to help him build those logical connections by problem solving for himself. He is guided and not spoon-fed the information. The curriculum is vibrant and robust because teachers from day-to-day, month-to-month, and year-to-year, deliberately consider what teaching methods are working, which need refinement, and how to effect deep-learning, not simply skill and drill. This is purposeful and intentional decision-making about the curriculum that encourages high-level learning and thinking. Teachers present the "just right challenge" for each student, allowing for appropriate and exciting learning paths. Teachers are classroom veterans with years/decades of experience; and especially important, there is very little to no teacher turnover, which translates into teachers getting to know students incredibly well over 2-3 years. They take great pride in knowing students and helping them grow from year-to-year. Other aspects of the curriculum that merit mentioning: Technology is used wisely and relied upon in ways that allow students to understand the limits of technology and to utilize technology to support their own learning but not to be the sole source. My son is learning the importance of hands on learning and primary source references for his projects, including how to interview people for projects. (Another example: He's currently building a tiny house that will actually be used by an unhoused teen in Oakland. Part of a larger Bay Area project, this tiny house is a months-long studio class that includes carpentry, electrical work, plumbing, and obviously extensive planning and collaboration with other students.) Executive functioning is seamlessly integrated into the curriculum as well, from block scheduling by trimester to binder organization and daily/weekly planning. My son is learning how to plan long-term and short-term work with meticulous planning and simple "to-do" lists. Most importantly, in a day and age when parents fret more than ever about our children's social-emotional well-being, MMS Junior High is a place for every student to be themselves, bring their unique selves and interests. Each day, the Junior High educators work tirelessly to help my son and every student be their best selves. From the Director to teachers to staff, the Junior High team really knows how to talk to teens and make them feel safe and confident. read more

If you are looking for a nurturing school environments that encourages a love of learning and growth-mindset, look no further than Marin Montessori. The teachers at Marin Montessori are really what sets this school apart. What makes them truly exceptional, is how in tuned they are to the needs of each child and where each child is on the plane of childhood development. All teachers have degrees in education as well as certification from the "gold standard" governing body in Montessori education--AMI. I didn't really appreciate or understand the extent of what the AMI certification/training involved until my child's teacher had out his binders from his Montessori training for parents to look through at Back to School Night. The elementary level alone has close to 1500 individual lessons that the teachers can offer the children. These lessons are very interactive, often involving beautifully crafted, hands on, manipulative materials. The lessons are each designed to inspire a love of learning and curiosity in students and are presented in a way to encourage the children to design their own follow-up work after each lesson. Our oldest son was at a private "traditional school" from K-3, before joining Marin Montessori for 4th grade. After being at Marin Montessori for a few months we asked him what was the biggest difference between the two schools. He said the biggest difference was that his classmates at Marin Montessori always paid so much attention to all of the lessons that the teachers gave. He said at his old school the students would all be listening to a lesson the first few minutes and by the end only 1-2 kids were still interested. He said at the traditional school, it didn't really matter if you listen to what the teacher said or not because they would assign work to the students at the end of the lesson and tell the students how to do it. Contrastingly, our son said at Marin Montessori students are always engaged in the lessons because they are in small groups (often less than 4 students per lesson) and at the end of the lesson the Montessori teacher helps guide the children to design their own follow-up work. It is this process in the Montessori classroom, that fosters curiosity, self-motivation, and encourages students to be active learners. The process also naturally encourages inter-disciplinary project based learning. The best part as a parent to see, is that because the students are designing and creating the projects/ "follow-up work" themselves they are incredibly excited and engaged in the work that they are doing. Our youngest son started Marin Montessori School in the toddler program and has been there for 7 years. He was counting down the days when we were on vacation until school started again because he just couldn't wait to get back to school to continue the work he was doing. To us, that speaks volumes! The math curriculum at MMS also is exceptional! If you have a child that is really interested in math (or even one who is not), I guarantee you will not find another math curriculum that allows children to move along at their own pace and develop a real curiosity and understanding for mathematical concepts. read more

Our two children attended Marin Montessori from preschool through its Junior High program. My husband and I could not be more grateful for the education they received at MMS and for the community we remain a part of. When our son and daughter chose their colleges, they were strongly influenced by the areas of academic interest fostered at MMS. Our daughter is pursuing her BS in Public Health at Tulane University and has already been accepted into their Master's program. Our son is studying Engineering at Boston University. Today we observe them as confident young adults who continue to be eager to learn and curious about life. Under the Head of School's competent and compassionate leadership, MMS has grown and aptly navigated the pandemic. The faculty and staff of MMS are dedicated, caring, and passionate about sharing the gift of the Montessori pedagogy. read more

Absolutely no. The school is having bad bullying problems it is unwilling to address. The old established directors have left and over half of the administration is new as of this year. It shows in their inability to solve big problems within their organization and "community." For our child's bad case of being bullied with escalation to a "regrettable" physical incidence, the school did not take the first initiative to notify us, we had to contact them; it offered no transparency or accountability thereafter. The singular instance of honest reporting we received was from a teacher, then later rescinded. The school director's options were: accept the bullying or leave the school. We chose to leave for safety and well-being of our child. Now the director is denying a tuition refund for their unfulfilled contract. We hope the school, its teachers and "community" will be better served in the future under stronger leadership. But for now--just no. read more

Can't say enough great things about MMS. The teachers and administrators at MMS are the best in the education field. They are caring, attentive, listen well, communicate back to parents effectively and most importantly are 100% focused on the well-being and education of our children Look forward to many more great years at MMS! PS - if you are interested in a Montessori education, a MMS campus tour is a must! read more

Words can't explain what an incredible learning environment Marin Montessori School provides. My daughter, now 3.5, has been at the school for 2 years now, starting out in the toddler program and now in the primary classroom for children aged 3-6. What makes MMS special is the dedication and care of the fantastic teachers and staff. The teachers care deeply about each child and you can feel their warmth and care the moment you step into each classroom. My daughter has thrived in this environment. She runs into her classroom every day excited to learn and comes home with such fantastic stories of her day (telling me the names of rare bugs she has seen, the different continents of the world she has been coloring in, new letters she can sound out). It is this gift of the love of learning that we will forever be grateful to MMS for. This school has had such a positive impact on our entire family. read more

Our children have attended MMS for 8 and 10 years, and are engaged, curious, and confident students. Our experience at the school continues to be one we treasure -- from toddler to junior high, Marin Montessori meets students where they are, and provides a platform and environment that nurtures and challenges. We are beyond impressed and extremely grateful for this treasure of a school. Thank you, MMS, for offering such a unique and wonderful educational experience. read more

My husband and I are eternally grateful that there is a school like Marin Montessori in our county. We have two children at the school and have been part of the community for the past four years. Our greatest educational hope for our children is that their love of learning is fostered and nurtured. The very ethos of Montessori education is lived and breathed in this way at MMS. The teachers are so deeply invested in the mental, emotional, social development of each child in the classroom. The multi year approach allows them to truly "know" each student and challenge them appropriately to bring out their very best. We are so grateful to the administration who have kept our kids safely in school throughout the pandemic (minus March-May 2020) when the world was shutdown. That said, knowing how impactful that loss was on child development they quickly pivoted and created a summer program (free) to make up that lost time! The school is all about putting the kids first while taking care of their staff, which is why so many have been there for decades! MMS is teaching our kids to think deeply and critically, how to to problem solve with their peers, how to move and think consciously and I believe those are all skills that will serve them throughout their futures! I would be remiss if I did not add how wonderful the community is. We are so grateful for the friendships we have made, but more importantly that our kids have made. read more

Marin Montessori School has been a champion for children's emotional and academic growth for over fifty years and I can personally attest all of the administration and educators are amazing! Leas by a wonderful head of school, Sam Shapiro, my children 7 and 9 are thriving and I am especially grateful during this time of Covid and divorce that this school has cared for them in every way possible. The consistency, nurturing, understanding of who my children are and what they need is essential to their well being. Thank you MMS for all you do! read more

Our family is having a wonderful experience at the Junior High. My daughter is seen, challenged, and cared for in a way that I have a hard time believing could be replicated in any other school or community. The relationships built between the faculty and students are very strong and supportive. I genuinely feel that I am working in partnership with the school to address both the good and hard things that are par for the course of a middle school teenager. Three things stand out. 1. The school does not blame or shame students for making mistakes but rather supports students to learn and grow in a safe and caring environment. 2. The integration of hands-on experiences and access to nature creates a healthy environment where students are encouraged to move, explore, take a break, pick a raspberry, and just have space to be themselves. 3. Lastly, I cannot overstate how impressed I am by the creativity demonstrated by the teaching faculty and how adept they are at engaging adolescents in the course material. From star gazing to shelter making, the teachers put incredible effort and care into igniting intellectual curiosity and engagement from every student. It is very impressive. read more

This is our fourth year as a family at Marin Montessori and we have been so happy at this school. Our oldest daughter started in the first grade when we moved here from the East Coast, and now her sister is also attending in the Primary (pre-school) program. When we were first looking at schools we were intent on finding a challenging academic environment in which our daughter's gentle, sensitive personality would be fostered and nurtured. We wanted her to be able to explore and learn at her own pace and to follow her interests, and we were concerned that a more traditional school environment might extinguish her innate love of learning. We also wanted a school that would foster her burgeoning independence and instill self-confidence and competency. Marin Montessori has met and exceeded all of our hopes and expectations. My husband and I were both lucky enough to have grown up in homes and attended schools ourselves where we were surrounded with family and friends who held a wide and diverse spectrum of opinions and ideas, and we were raised to enjoy defending, challenging, and reevaluating our own perspectives and assumptions with lively debate and open, respectful dialog. We have strived to immerse our children in that same spirit of open-mindedness and good-faith engagement in the realm of ideas. As such, we were discouraged by the number of schools we saw that seemed to have a distinct angle and perspective that infused their pedagogy (even when we personally agreed with it!), in a way that seemed it might restrict free thought and inhibit intellectual exploration by providing the "correct" answers to complex questions at the outset. The Montessori methodology starts with the basic building blocks of respect and courtesy, teaches children to approach one another as both receptive learners and patient teachers, and entrusts them to explore ideas and topics from different angles, ultimately arriving at their own richer, deeper understanding. We have found at MMS a school where our children are taught how - not what - to think and where they are challenged to assert their independence and gain in competency and self-assuredness -- both physically and intellectually -- all while enveloped in a warm, respectful, nurturing environment. We love this school. read more

I have a son who is extremely active and verbal. Already - at 2.5 yrs old - I feel that Marin Montessori School's program has channeled him into his best self. Montessori classrooms are made to be a "children's house" where all of the materials are designed for the child so that he or she can succeed in using them and feel proud of his or her accomplishments and independence. What Marin Montessori School (MMS) offers is beyond what I can provide at home- for, in this environment (held to international standards under the Association Montessori Internationale (AMI) accreditation), my son can be entirely independent. He is also not only able to be so under the guidance of his teachers, but in the mixed-age classroom, is taken care of by his peers and given the opportunity to look after them as well. My son was quick to call everyone in his class his friend, learn all their names, and confidently and articulately speak of them and their days together more than many others he's known his whole life! "Grace and courtesy" is a vital component at MMS. It is something, as a parent, I highly value and have not found in any other school system at such a young age. This practice, by all staff and students, instills an awareness of each other and respect that cultivates a compassionate and caring community. After attending the Primary program for two months, my son tells his younger brother "I'm here for you" when he cries, explains to him how things work (with patience), helps my husband and me fold laundry; and notices when my water glass is empty and asks if I'd like it refilled - all of which he does voluntarily with pleasure! At MMS, my son is given uninterrupted time to develop his concentration. Whether through washing windows or cutting paper, he finds so much joy in his activities, or "work" as they're called! He always has the option to choose time for "movement" outside or to work in the garden - among many other "works" in the classroom that harness his language and mathematical skills (among others!) at such an early age. I can't recommend it enough and am more and more thrilled with MMS and our community every day. read more

Choosing to send our kids to an independent school was a tough decision. First of all, there was the commute -- we live in SF and Marin Montessori is nearly 30 minutes from our house. Then, their was the idea of committing to a non-traditional style of education -- my wife and I both went to traditional schools and were concerned about "handing off" the responsibility to educate our child to MMS. Finally, there was the price -- there are lots of good, free public schools in SF so, why would we send our kids to private school? After very careful consideration, we decided to send our eldest to Marin Montessori and that has been amongst the best decisions of his young life. First, the commute on the bus provided by MMS not only worked seamlessly into our busy lives, it became a highlight of our son's day. He routinely recounts his bus adventures (sometimes its the only part of his day he shares) from learning about peregrine falcons to discussing bridges, to spending time with older kids. What once seemed "non-traditional" education has transformed into a truly holistic education. Our son is learning all of the academics he needs for his age but there is equal focus on his happiness, his ability to take care of himself, identifying his style of learning and articulating what and how he contributes to collaborations with his peers. MMS has shown us that school is not about preparing for college, it's about preparing for life. Finally, private school is expensive and, at times, that expense can be hard to justify. A good friend shared with me that she was only able to justify the expense of an independent school if she was able to understand how the school benefited her WHOLE family. The Montessori culture of empathy and collaboration; the community of families that deeply value education (and educators); and the knowledge and experience of the staff of teachers and support our kids together have made it easy to justify our choice to send our kids to MMS. Thank you MMS! read more

Marin Montessori has nurtured our children's curiosity, fueling their learning of academics and also of life. We are blown away by the invaluable life skills that our kids are gaining - collaborating with their peers, guiding their own work, discovering how they learn best as an individual, experiencing the joy of solving a problem after truly struggling with it, meaningfully contributing to a community - which few schools are set up to instill in children. Most importantly, they have developed a love of learning and truly enjoy going to school. We are pleased knowing that when our kids graduate from Marin Montessori, they will be kind, capable, and confident to pursue their dreams. read more

Our two children have had a tremendous experience at Marin Montessori School. We are now in our 6th year of the program which we began at the preschool level. My husband and I have also found a warm, down to earth community in which we have a lot of friends. While it is a private school, the tuition is reasonable compared to its peers and it is not elitist. The Montessori pedagogy is one that takes time to understand, yet Marin Montessori School provides a lot of parent education opportunities for prospective and current families. It is also great to be able to send your child to the same school from preschool through to 8th grade! A Montessori education is a true gift to give a child - it is an education of life and for life. Our children LOVE to learn, LOVE going to school, are confident, gracious, independent and responsible. Also because the classes have a 3 year age range (based on the pedagogy), the older ones "teach" the younger ones. This truly helps children reinforce what they have learned as well as to be empathetic. We have less sibling rivalry due to this classroom dynamic. Marin Montessori School is a treasure of a school that provides an unbelievably dynamic education. read more

Our children (4 and 6 now) have been at the school since they were 2. Choosing a pre-school environment can be very difficult, confusing, and full of conflicting emotion when expectations are not met. Our family has been fortunate in that we've always wanted to travel on the Montessori path, and have pursued it to the best of our ability. It suits our family and we love our community at the school. If you want your child to learn how to be a fully engaged, loving, interested-in-the-world-around-him child--this is the place for you. We're staying until the kids are too old to stay, and then I'll probably come back and volunteer some more. read more

This is as good as it gets at the toddler and primary levels where our two boys are enrolled. The classroom is super engaging for the kids with productive activities. The teacher turnover is super low at this level with one teacher having taught kids for over 20 years and all the main teachers have over 15 years experience at the school. The toddler teacher trains all the other AMI teachers in California and can provide excellent tips. Sam, the head of school, is very thoughtful with all his decisions and offers great parent programs regarding Montessori education. And the parent community could not be better. Everyone who attends here is very nice and down to earth. Be sure you are interested in Montessori education and understand the pedagogy (a key objective for our family) because the only reason you could possibly not fall in love with MMS is if you don't like or don't understand Montessori education. read more